With a huff, William said, “I believe you have underestimated how obstinate Miss Holbrooke can be.”
Hawthorne sat down on an upholstered armchair. “You are unable to obtain a license because you need Lord Wakefield’s consent since she hasn’t reached her majority yet,” he said. “The only option is to travel to Gretna Green and have an anvil priest perform the ceremony.”
“That is, assuming Miss Holbrooke even wants to marry me,” William pointed out.
“You are a far better choice than Lord Ransdale,” Haddington said.
William glanced over at the darkened window. “Do you think it is too late to call upon Miss Holbrooke?”
“Yes, but you should go anyway,” Hawthorne said. “If you are able to convince her, then you should leave at first light tomorrow.”
Rising, William asked, “What should I say?”
“Speak from the heart,” Hawthorne advised.
“I’m not good at speeches,” William said. “I have a feeling I’m going to botch it up.”
Haddington rose. “I’m afraid that is not an option. Explain why this is the best way to keep her safe, and if that’s not enough, add that it will protect the children, as well.”
William muttered under his breath as he walked over to the door. Bringing up the well-being of orphans while proposing didn’t seem like the best choice. “Thorne!” he called.
The butler promptly appeared in front of him. “Yes, my lord?”
“Bring my coach around front,” he ordered.
“Yes, my lord.”
William stepped back into his study. “I do hope this isn’t a fool’s errand.”
“It is only a fool’s errand if you are foolish enough to not recognize that you need Miss Holbrooke in your life,” Hawthorne said. “Ever since you met her, you have begun to change for the better.”
“It’s true. You have become somewhat tolerable,” Haddington joked.
“Even if I admit that I desire Miss Holbrooke to be part of my life, that doesn’t mean she wants me in hers,” William pointed out.
“Convince her otherwise,” Haddington encouraged.
William’s work was cut out for him. Miss Holbrooke was as stubborn as she was beautiful.
Georgie stared out the window as she sat in the drawing room. She could vaguely hear Mrs. Carter and Evie conversing, but she was paying them little heed. Her thoughts were solely focused on how she was going to get herself out of this predicament. She concluded that the only way she could keep the girls safe was if she disappeared.
But where could she go that her brother couldn’t find her?
She knew he wouldn’t stop searching for her, but she only needed to remain hidden the few months until she reached her majority. Then she would petition the courts for her brother to turn over her inheritance.
Evie came and sat down next to her. “I know that look.”
Georgie turned towards her. “What look?”
“You are thinking about doing something intolerably stupid.”
“I am doing no such thing.”
Evie gave her a knowing look. “If I had to guess, you want to run away and hide from your brother in an attempt to keep the orphans safe.”
Georgie gave her a surprised look. “How could you possibly know that?”
“Because that is precisely what I would have considered,” Evie said.
